SMALL GEO – ELECTRA

With Electra, OHB develops an advanced electrically powered telecommunications satellite in the sub-three-ton weight class. The concept of using solely electric propulsion to achieve a geostationary orbit was successfully tested by ESA’s Artemis satellite, demonstrating that electric propulsion systems reduce propellant mass requirements by up to 90% compared with chemical systems, thereby almost halving the satellite’s launch mass. Electra is designed to broaden the scope for this technology in a specially designed satellite system, allowing OHB to tap into a larger area of business in commercial telecommunications and add an innovative new propulsion system design to its SmallGEO range. OHB Sweden is a Core Team Partner in the Small GEO Telecom satellite programme, responsible for the attitude and orbit control and electrical propulsion subsystems, which includes an innovative robotic arm for both orbit transfer and station keeping in GEO-stationary position. Electra is a public-private partnership under the ESA ARTES 33 program, aiming to provide the satellite communications industry, manufacturers, and end-users with innovative products and systems. The project initially focuses on platform development, leading to a joint mission with industrial project partner end-user partners. The launch for the first Electra satellite based on the Small Geo platform is planned for 2023.